Book Reports (98-100)...

For those of you who happened to Google your title and ended up here, please know that one star is not a bad thing in Robin's world -- just the fact that I picked up your book and started it means that somewhere it's getting good buzz (or that your blurb was really cool). 'R' means it's a re-read. Brackets mean it's an ARC or e-galley. I'm linking to Tattered Cover's pages for the ARCs.

If you'd like to see my recent four-plus- and five-star recommendations, visit Robin ReadsnWrites.

* I didn't make it beyond the first 20 pages.** I made it to the end, but I either skimmed or skipped large sections.*** I might have skipped/skimmed, but I liked it and might read it again.**** I read at least 95% of the book and it was good -- probably will be reread.***** I read every word, and I loved it! A favorite and definite reread.

Revived, by Cat Patrick **** I enjoyed this, although I had a hard time getting into it, at first. Also, some of the world building seemed shaky in places, so I skimmed over bits of it. However, overall this is a good and entertaining tale. I liked Daisy, and I thought the overall concept was pretty fascinating. I liked the relationship between Daisy and Matt (and Daisy and her 'dad'), as well. At the same time, her relationship with her 'dad' held one of the weaknesses for me -- Daisy didn't seem to care that she'd never known her real parents, and she didn't seem to miss or be aware of that missing component in her life. I didn't find that quite realistic enough, and it distanced me from Daisy (slightly). The story: Daisy is part of a secret government program which 'revives' dead people, giving them another chance at life. Daisy has been revived a number of times (as she's allergic to bees), but when she meets Matt, whose sister is dying of cancer, she begins to question how the drug works -- and why it can't save her new friend. Her questions lead to some troubling discoveries, and Daisy has to decide not only how to live, but how to allow death to be a part of her life. (YA science fiction, released 5/12, publisher: Little Brown)

Memory Boy, by Will Weaver ***+ I enjoyed this, as well, but I kept waiting for something more. First, I wasn't a huge fan of Miles -- he was conveyed as fairly shallow and thoughtless, and although he appeared to change, I didn't see any real insight into how that change occurred. I guess it seemed like his character only skimmed the surface. Second, I liked the setting and the struggles of Miles and his family, but I would've liked to know much more about how they got there -- in other words, the volcanoes are mentioned, but there's no real scientific explanation of how they went from a few volcanoes erupting to the world being in dire straits. Despite those things, it was an enjoyable and interesting read, and I liked that Miles was able to become the voice of reason for his family -- their hero, in many ways. The story: Two years after a chain of volcanic eruptions, Miles and his family are leaving their mansion and traveling to their summer cabin. They must be careful on their journey, however, as the world has collapsed into small communities ruled by self-erected militias. Miles spends much of their traveling time remembering his time with an older man -- a man he was forced to befriend for a school project. In the end, Miles learns that the man had some accurate ideas about survival in times of disaster -- though, can Miles convince his family how to survive? (YA sci fi/dystopic, released 2003, publisher: Harper Teen)

Team Human, by Justine Larbalestier and Sarah Rees Brennan **** I enjoyed this, as well. One of the best aspects is the humor, as Mel is very sarcastic throughout. I also liked Mel's loyalty to her friends. The overall setup is intriguing too, and I liked how Mel was forced to understand her own feelings of protectiveness better and to try and look out for her friends' actual wishes rather than what Mel wished for them. And although I'm not a huge vampire novel fan, this one is unique and has some intriguing ideas. The story: Mel's town is one of the few which supports a large population of vampires. Mel doesn't consider herself prejudiced against them, but when one of her best friends falls in love with one (and wants to become one to be with the vampire boy), Mel's innermost feelings rear up, and she finds herself opposing the idea almost to the point of violence. Add to that another boy -- a human -- who's been raised by one of the vampires (and who assumes he'll also be turned), and Mel has to rethink her ideas and face her fears and biases...no matter what Cathy and Kit decide. (YA paranormal/urban fantasy, released 7/12, publisher: Harper Teen)

Currently Reading:...still deciding. Life has been crazy busy, and I'm simply relieved that I *finally* hit 100 books. :) I have a couple of possibilities, though, so surely I'll find something...right?